Greek linen armour - what did it look like?

[Feinman]

I now doubt that hide (rawhide treated in some manner to make it more water resistant) was used in large sections for Greek armour, such as Tube & Yoke style armour. Treated hide works well for scale armour, as the small scales, if sealed properly are much less hygroscopic and not as prone to continuous warping; large sections of hide deform if there is any kind of humidity, regardless of sealing methods. Large sections of hide will become "bumpy" and begin to continuously deform, and there is no remedy. Hide is also subject to more bacterial action and rot because the inner portion can't be reached by any sealants. Further, attempts to paint hide just cause more warping and the paint layer is only on the surface of the hide, unable to penetrate and thus cracks off easily; white would be an impossibility.

I don't believe layers of linen were used in armours of the Tube & Yoke style either; it's not suited to that kind of construction --the edging on ptyreges and other parts would eventually come off with a lot of movement, it wouldn't have both the springiness and thinness seen in depictions. Further, as the layers of are of plain-weave linen, the outer layer will eventually begin to fray, etc. and with sword cuts, would have to be repaired by sewing, with patches or seams --and that isn't very attractive or strong either.. And there is no evidence for the special ancient glue..

Weft wining can arguable be seen on a number of depictions, most notably the Etruscan Urns, and it has been used by other cultures to make defensive cloaksm and historic leather armour exists, and some of it has been casein treated. The white milk paint with the pigments used, in particular strengthens leather.